Bulleh Shah Passenger Train Restored After 16 Years, Receives Historic Public Welcome at Khudian Khas

Speaker Punjab Assembly Reaffirms Commitment to the Honour of Martyrs and Armed Forces, Vows Continued Development
By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Bulleh Shah Passenger Train was officially restored after a 16-year suspension, receiving a grand public welcome at Khudian Khas Railway Station in Punjab’s Kasur district. Thousands of residents gathered to celebrate the revival of the rail service, describing it as a historic milestone for the region.
The ceremony was attended by Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Minister of State Malik Rashid Ahmad Khan, Member of the Punjab Assembly and Chairman of PEMRA Malik Saeed Ahmad Khan, along with several political and social leaders. Tight security arrangements were in place throughout the event.
Addressing the gathering, Malik Saeed Ahmad Khan said the overwhelming public participation on short notice reflected the people’s strong commitment to regional development and projects serving the national interest. He described the restoration of the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train as the fulfillment of a long-standing public demand and credited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for making it possible. He also thanked the Federal Minister for Railways and the party leadership, saying the PML-N had consistently prioritized development initiatives.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Khudian Khas as a border area, he said its residents had always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces during challenging times. Paying tribute to the country’s martyrs, he said their sacrifices would never be forgotten and that irresponsible remarks against them were unacceptable.
Minister of State Malik Rashid Ahmad Khan said the train service had been restored within just three months through the efforts of the Federal Minister for Railways and the government. Calling it a landmark achievement, he announced that the number of coaches would eventually be increased from 10 to 12 to accommodate more passengers. He also praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their unmatched sacrifices in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty.
In his address, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said that in today’s digital age, information spreads across the world within moments and plays a decisive role in shaping public opinion. He stressed that there could be no compromise on the honour and dignity of the nation’s martyrs and warned that any future attempts to malign their sacrifices or those of the Pakistan Armed Forces would be firmly rejected by the public.
He said Pakistan’s defence capabilities are internationally recognised and paid tribute to the soldiers and officers who laid down their lives for the country’s security. He added that any narrative aimed at inciting hatred against the armed forces was against the national interest.
The Speaker also highlighted ongoing development initiatives in Khudian Khas and surrounding areas, stating that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had allocated significant funds for regional development, with special emphasis on rural infrastructure, roads, educational institutions, public services and welfare projects. He expressed hope that major initiatives, including the establishment of a university in Khudian Khas, would also become a reality in the future.
Concluding his remarks, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said that disrespect or attacks against state institutions and the Pakistan Armed Forces were unacceptable and that anyone violating the law would be held accountable.
The ceremony concluded with the arrival of the Bulleh Shah Passenger Train at Khudian Khas Railway Station, where it received an enthusiastic public reception. Residents hailed the restoration of the rail service as a historic achievement and urged the government to continue launching similar development projects, particularly in the railway sector.